The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission is a three person executive board in the Rhode Island state government. The commission works cooperatively with the Administrator of the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers to regulate public utilities.

Authority

The public utilities commission is established in Section 42-14.3-1 of the Rhode Island general laws.

§ 42-14.3-1:

There shall be a public utilities commission. The head of the commission shall be the chairperson of the public utilities commission, who shall carry out, except as otherwise provided by this title, the provisions of chapters 1 – 20, inclusive, of title 39, and of all other general laws and public laws heretofore carried out by the former administrator of public utilities and carriers and division of public utilities and carriers.

Qualifications

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Appointments

The commissioners are appointed by the governor, the the advice and consent of the state senate, to a six year term. The commissioners are selected "with regard to their qualifications and experience in law and government, energy matters, economics and finance, and engineering and accounting,"[3] and are eligible to succeed themselves.

Vacancies

According to Title 39 of the Rhode Island general laws, a vacancy in the office of a commissioner (other than by expiration of a term) shall be filled by gubernatorial appointment. The appointee will serve the remainder of the unexpired term.[3]

Duties

According to Title 39 of the Rhode Island general laws, the commission serves as a quasi-judicial tribunal. The commission has the jurisdiction, powers, and duties to:

implement and enforce the standards of conduct under § 39-1-27.6

hold investigations and hearings involving the rates, tariffs, tolls, and charges, and the sufficiency and reasonableness of facilities and accommodations of railroad, gas, electric distribution, water, telephone, telegraph, and pipeline public utilities, the location of railroad depots and stations, and the control of grade crossings, the revocation, suspension, or alteration of certificates issued pursuant to § 39-19-4, appeals under § 39-1-30, petitions under § 39-1-31, and proceedings under § 39-1-32.

Divisions

Electric

Water

Wastewater

Natural gas

Telecom

Cable TV

Motor carriers

Ferry services

State budget

The budget for the Public Utilities Commission in Fiscal Year 2013 was $8,733,815.[4]

Historical officeholders

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Recent news

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